Strap mounted pocket member

ABSTRACT

A suspender system is disclosed that has a pocket for receiving items integrated with a shoulder pad used in the suspender system. The integrated pocket is constructed so as to enable the wearer to place items within the pocket without looking and to avoid placing an item between the pocket and a strap to which the shoulder pad is attached. Further disclosed is a display system to secure the clips on the suspender so that they do not become entangled with other items when the suspenders are displayed for sale.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a pouch for use with a suspender system and, more specifically, the present invention relates to a pouch slidably secured to a suspender system that enables a user to place the article unseen in the pouch. The present invention also relates to a method and system for displaying the suspenders.

[0002] Holders for pencils, tools, or the like that mount to a workman's suspenders or belt typically have been separate from any other item and serve exclusively as a tool or pencil holder. The art has seen the introduction of multiple function elements for use with work suspenders. One such element is a shoulder pad that includes a pencil or tool holder located in a place convenient for the wearer to access the pocket.

[0003] The shoulder pads typically are fixed in position and do not allow adjustability of where the shoulder pads are placed relative to the suspender or for the pouch to be placed in a location more convenient to the user. As such, users have trouble placing the article within the pouch when the user cannot see where the pouch is specifically. Further, when the strap lengths are adjusted, the positioning of the pads themselves may not offer suitable protection to the wearer unless extra padding and material are used to accommodate a range of body types. If such is the case, then the pads become bulky and hinder free motion by the wearer when working.

[0004] In many applications, the shoulder pad is secured to the strap of the suspender with a loop at the top and the bottom of the pad. To make it easier to assemble the suspenders with the shoulder pads, the loops are kept rather short so that the pocket found on the shoulder pad serves as one of those loops. This allows the strap to be inserted quickly into the shoulder pad over an arrangement utilizing a sheath instead.

[0005] Since the pocket serves as a loop, there is an area where the strap passes through the pocket loop portion that is open. Often, when a worker isn't looking at what he or she is doing, the worker can place the object between the pocket and the shoulder strap. This can result in the item slipping completely out the bottom portion of the pocket loop, thereby losing the item. Further, the object, such as a pen or pencil, can be broken if placed between the pocket and the strap. So, where the worker needs to focus on a particular job, but wants to place the object in the pocket without looking, the worker can either lose the object or break it by inadvertently placing it between the pocket and the strap rather than in the pocket.

[0006] Suspender systems are sold in stores and packaging them is time consuming and expensive. For example, the suspenders must be folded upon themselves with a sheath placed upon the entire assembly to hold them in place. Next, a suspending article must be placed either on the sheath itself or on the suspenders to enable the suspenders to be suspended for display. If the sheath is not used, then the suspenders hang free, which leads to entanglement with other suspenders hanging on the same display or the suspenders interfere with the display and cause problems when removed by the consumer. This results in customer dissatisfaction, a cluttered store, and possible lost sales.

[0007] Accordingly, what is needed is a suspender system that includes an adjustable shoulder pad that includes an article pocket that also prevents articles placed within the pocket from slipping behind the pocket between the suspender system and the pad itself. Further, what is needed is a display element that overcomes the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a suspender system is disclosed that has a pocket for receiving items integrated with a shoulder pad used in the suspender system. The integrated pocket is constructed so as to enable the wearer to place items within the pocket without looking and to avoid placing an item between the pocket and a strap to which the shoulder pad is attached. The shoulder pad includes a first loop for securing the pad to the strap at a second end and the pocket serves as a second loop, for securing the pad at a second end. The strap passes between the pad portion and behind the pocket and then through the first loop. The pocket or pouch includes a first or back portion and a second or front portion. The back portion has a length ranging from about 50% to 100% larger than the front portion, thereby providing an extended backing to prevent items from slipping between the pocket and the strap.

[0009] The invention further embodies an improved system and method for display that eliminates the clips normally found at the ends of the suspender straps from hanging loosely. The system includes a clip support to which the clips are attached and a suspender display support, found within a back retainer of the suspenders. The clips are secured safely and the suspenders are displayed by hanging them on the display through the display support.

[0010] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a set of suspenders with a shoulder pad having an improved pocket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoulder pad with pocket as shown in FIG. 1; and

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a display system for displaying a set of suspenders in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A suspender system 10 is disclosed in FIGS. 1-3. Suspender system 10 includes a first and second suspender strap 12, which are overlapped in the back and held in position by suspender retainer 14. At the end of each suspender is a clip 16. Clip 16 may comprise a spring loaded clip that is J shaped or a pressure based clip that causes the clip to operate in a secured manner using a pressure loaded cam. Other types of clipping mechanisms or clasps may be freely substituted for clip 16.

[0015] Suspender system 10 further comprises shoulder pads 18, each of which has a first and second slot 20 for receiving a portion of one strap 12. Strap 12 is able to slide freely within slots 20 so that shoulder pad 18 can be movably adjusted for optimal fit and comfort for the user.

[0016] Each shoulder pad 18 further includes a pocket or pouch 22 for receiving articles, such as pencils, markers, and other tools of similar shape and dimensions. Pouch 22 comprises a back portion 24 and a front portion 26, which is secured to a lower portion of back portion 24. Front portion 26 is secured on at least two sides to form a pocket 28 within pouch 22. The pouch can be U-shaped, V-shaped, or other. Pocket 28 opens to receive articles 30 as shown.

[0017] Significantly, back portion 24 has a length that is approximately 50% to 100% greater than the length of front portion 26. The length of back portion 24 can even exceed 100% of the length of the front portion in selected embodiments. This is significant in that the extended length allows a user to insert articles 30 especially while not looking for the opening 28 since the extended portion of back 24 provides for a barrier for the preventing the items 30 from slipping behind back portion 24 where strap 12 slides. It is important that strap 12 slide between pouch 22 and the actual shoulder pad region of shoulder pad 18 so that the strap is protected or prevented from digging into and binding against the wearer's shoulder during use. Since other tool belts and tool pouches are typically attached to suspender system 10, shoulder pads 18 provide comfort to the wearer and prevent fatigue during use while wearing suspender system 10.

[0018] Straps 12 cross over in a location that will be behind the wearer using suspender retainer 14. Additional slots are found within retainer 14 to enable the suspenders to slide within retainer 14 so that length and position adjustment can be made for the placement of the shoulder pads and straps. For an individual who wears suspender system 10 and has broad shoulders, retainer 14 slides downward towards the clips 16. If the individual has rather narrow shoulders, then retainer 14 slides upwardly in order to draw shoulder pads 18 closer together, thereby preventing the straps from slipping off the user's shoulders. Retainer 14 further includes a display opening 32, which is used to hold the suspenders on a display rack or to hang the suspenders after use in a convenient location off the floor or work bench. An example of retainer 14 is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,736, incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0019]FIG. 3 further illustrates suspender system 10 for display on a display unit (shown, in part, in ghosted form). One problem encountered in displaying suspenders for sale is that the clips dangle or must be secured together using expensive packaging material that is time consuming to put on the suspenders. If the clips are allowed to hang free, they entangle with other clips and cause problems when a consumer selects a particular set of suspenders and while removing it from the display, causes other suspenders to be pulled off the display that then fall to the floor or stay tangled with the set selected by the customer.

[0020] Accordingly, a clip organizer 40 is utilized with the four ends of the suspenders 10 such that clips 16 are secured to clip organizer 40. Clip organizer 40 can be made from any durable material such as heavy paper or cardstock, flexible or hard plastic, Mylar or Mylar-laminate, or the like, that is durable so as to withstand the pressure caused by clips 16 and does not easily tear due to the weight of suspender system 10 or due to handling by a store clerk during placement upon the display.

[0021] The dimensions of clip organizer 40 are selected based on the number of clips to be secured and their size. Accordingly, the width of organizer 40 is wide enough to receive at least two clips on one end of suspender system 10 and the length is long enough so that the clips attached to either end do not interfere with one another. Further, although organizer 40 is shown to be generally rectangular, it can also be triangular, round, oblong, oval in shape, or any other polygonal shape as desired by the designer.

[0022] If clips 16 are J shaped with a closing spring, openings 42 may be placed within a durable clip organizer 40 such that clips 16 are secured in position without risk of tearing clip organizer 40. The suspenders 10 are now ready for display and are placed on the display via display slot 32 as shown.

[0023] It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of displaying an article having a hang tag for disposing the article on a hanger, a first end, and a second end and at least one clip on each end, comprising: attaching each clip to a common clip support; and suspending the article at the hang tag to diplay the article without any loose ends.
 2. A display device for an article having a first end and a second end and at least one clip on each end, comprising: a support element, attached to the article between the first and second ends, to allow the article to be suspended when displayed; and a clip support, to which each clip attaches, to hold the clips in a secure arrangement without any loose ends.
 3. The display device according to claim 2 further comprising at least one aperture for receiving a clip.
 4. The display device according to claim 2 wherein the clip support is made of plastic.
 5. The display device according to claim 2 wherein the clip support is generally rectangular in shape.
 6. A suspender set for supporting a belt adapted to carry tools or the like comprising: a pair of straps adapted to extend one over each shoulder of a wearer and to cross in the back; a cross-over piece having a first pair of slots disposed above a second pair of slots through which said straps are threaded to cross over each other, the straps being separately threaded through the first pair of slots and the straps being separately threaded through the second pair of slots or together through one of the second pair of slots, and the piece having an aperture therethrough for hanging of the suspenders on a peg or the like; at least one metal clasp attached to each end of each of the straps and each having an over center lock thereon for firmly gripping a belt between facing ends of a pair of plates; and a common clasp support to which each metal clasp attaches to secure the metal clasps when the suspender set is placed on the peg or the, like.
 7. The suspender set according to claim 6 wherein the common clasp support further comprises at least one aperture for receiving a clip.
 8. The suspender set according to claim 6 wherein the common clasp support is made of plastic.
 9. The suspender set according to claim 6 wherein the common clasp support is generally rectangular in shape.
 10. A set of suspenders adaptable to carry articles comprising: a pair of straps adapted to extend one over each shoulder of a wearer and to cross in the back; a cross-over piece having a first pair of slots disposed above a second pair of slots through which said straps are threaded to cross over each other, the straps being separately threaded through the first pair of slots and both straps being separately threaded through the second pair of slots or together through one of the second pair of slots; at least one metal clasp attached to each end of each of the straps and each having an over center lock thereon for firmly gripping a belt between facing ends of a pair of plates; and a shoulder pad, slidably mounted on either of the pair of straps via a top loop and a bottom loop, the shoulder pad further comprises a pouch that is formed of a back portion and a front portion, the front portion secured to the back portion to form a pocket, the back portion having a length at least approximately 50% greater than the front portion wherein the back portion extends above the pocket from the front portion to form a backing guide such that when an article is to be placed within the pocket it is guided into the pocket by the extended portion of the back portion reducing the chance for placement of the article between the holding pouch and the strap to which it is mounted when placed within the pocket unseen by the user.
 11. The suspenders of claim 8 wherein the length of the back portion is not more than 100% greater than the length of the front portion. 